Issues

The U.S. poultry industry is controlled by a few corporations with intensive, vertically-integrated operations. This system of production is becoming the model for overseas poultry operations, as well as livestock production and other agri-food operations in the U.S. While poultry companies have realized enormous profits, the people who work within the industry have not shared in the prosperity. Farmers, workers and neighbors are afraid to organize or speak for themselves in fear of retaliation. Consumers are uneducated about the health, safety, economic, and environmental justice issues associated with poultry production.

Mission

The National Poultry Justice Alliance (NPJA) is a multi-cultural coalition representing a wide range of affiliate organizations that have united to organize around and increase public awareness of the social, economic, human, and environmental health issues associated with the production of poultry. These groups include poultry growers, workers, and environmental, public health, religious, and social justice organizations.

Affiliate organizations of the NPJA have agreed to educate the public and one another about the importance of:

• A living wage and benefits, safe and healthy working conditions, a sustainable living for poultry farmers, and dignity and respect for all of the people who labor for the poultry industry.
• The rights of workers, growers, and communities to organize and/or engage in collective bargaining without intimidation or retaliation from the poultry companies.
• Humane animal husbandry practices in poultry production, including catching and transport to processing facilities.
• Policies for cleaner, safer, and sustainable environmental and public health conditions and protection of quality of life for families living near industry facilities.
• Accountability within the poultry industry to existing laws and regulations.
• Efforts toward developing improved remedies such as health and safety, labor, contract, and environmental laws and policies that benefit farmers, workers, the environment, and our communities.